Creamy Shrimp and Crab Seafood Bisque Recipe
This Creamy Shrimp and Crab Seafood Bisque is a luxurious and comforting seafood soup, featuring tender shrimp and delicate crab meat in a rich, creamy broth infused with savory Old Bay seasoning and tomato paste. Perfectly balanced with the sweetness of seafood and aromatic sautéed onions and garlic, this bisque is a delightful dish to serve hot with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound crab meat
Base and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups seafood stock
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and sauté aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once heated, add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pot and cook until they turn pink, which should take around 3-4 minutes. This step ensures the shrimp are perfectly cooked and tender.
- Add crab meat: Stir in 1 pound of crab meat gently to combine with the shrimp and sautéed aromatics, allowing the crab to warm through for about 2 minutes.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in 2 cups of seafood stock and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning to the mixture, incorporating all the flavors evenly.
- Simmer bisque: Reduce the heat to low and let the bisque simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the broth to thicken slightly. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve hot: Once the bisque is flavorful and creamy, ladle it into bowls and serve immediately. Pair with crusty bread for a perfect accompaniment.
Notes
- For a smoother bisque, you can purée half of the soup before adding the crab meat.
- Use fresh seafood stock or homemade for richer flavor.
- Adjust Old Bay seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- This soup can be made ahead and gently reheated; add cream just before serving for best texture.
- Serve with crusty bread or oyster crackers for a classic touch.
